1971 Map of Philip Smith Mountains A-5

About this map

The Continental Divide winds through this high-altitude landscape in the early 1970s, marking the hydrological split of the Brooks Range. This survey captures a critical transition point for transportation and drainage, featuring the high-elevation Atigun Pass and Oolah Pass. The map illustrates the headwaters of several significant North Slope waterways, including the Itkillik R and Kuyuktuvuk Creek, which flow north, while the Dietrich River leads south toward the interior. The presence of a Winter Trail following the river valleys and crossing the Chandalar Shelf highlights the seasonal routes utilized before the extensive modernization of the region's infrastructure. These trails were vital for traversing the difficult terrain between the Brooks Range and the Arctic coastal plain.